Transportation

failed · South Dakota · Senate Feb 4, 2026

SB 24: create a solid background license plate for South Dakota.

SB 24 creates a new solid black or solid white license plate option for South Dakota residents. It allows owners of eligible vehicles (cars, trucks, vans, motorcycles) with valid licenses to purchase these plates for a $100 annual fee. Of this fee, $25 funds a special revenue account and $75 supports the state highway fund. Personalization is available for an extra $25, and plates can be transferred like existing specialty plates.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates new $100 annual fee with $75 funding highway fund, directly supporting state budget through dedicated revenue stream92% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill allocates $75 annually per plate to state highway fund, directly funding transportation infrastructure maintenance and improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

Track

signed · South Dakota · House Feb 26, 2026

HB 1227: increase the annual fee required of an owner of an electric motor vehicle.

HB 1227 increases the annual registration fee for owners of electric motor vehicles in South Dakota from $50 to $51 (likely a typo for $50, as "fifty one hundred" is inconsistent with standard fee amounts). The fee applies when renewing vehicle registration and must be paid alongside standard license fees, excluding electric motorcycles covered under separate law. All collected fees are deposited into the state highway fund. The bill specifically defines "electric motor vehicle" as noncommercial, battery-rechargeable vehicles meeting federal safety standards.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationBill increases fees for electric vehicles, depositing funds into the state highway fund to support transportation infrastructure maintenance and projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Electric Vehicles Roads & Highways Vehicle Registration

passed · South Dakota · Senate Jan 21, 2026

SB 70: revise the duties of the Transportation Commission to include responsibilities of the South Dakota Railroad Board and the South Dakota Aeronautics Commission.

SB 70 consolidates the South Dakota Railroad Board and Aeronautics Commission into the existing Transportation Commission. The bill revises state law to transfer all railroad and aviation oversight responsibilities - including rail operations, airport funding, and aviation rulemaking - to the Transportation Commission. This change affects how the state manages transportation infrastructure, as the single commission now handles both rail and aviation matters. The bill modifies multiple sections of the law (e.g., amending Sections 1-44-4, 1-44-20, and adding new provisions) to reflect this consolidation without creating new policies.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationConsolidates rail/aviation oversight under Transportation Commission, streamlining management of transportation infrastructure without defunding or weakening oversight.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Airports Rail

Track

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 12, 2026

SB 130: make an appropriation for roadway and related infrastructure improvements required because of construction activity at Ellsworth Air Force Base and to declare an emergency.

SB 130 appropriates $8 million from South Dakota's general fund to the South Dakota Ellsworth Development Authority. The funds must cover public roadway and infrastructure improvements directly needed due to construction at Ellsworth Air Force Base, including road reconstruction, safety upgrades, and traffic studies. The authority must report annually on how funds were used and cannot spend more than 3% of the appropriation on administrative costs. This bill specifically affects infrastructure supporting Ellsworth Air Force Base operations and surrounding public roads.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $8M from general fund for infrastructure, advancing government spending and fiscal management as required by base construction.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationFunds $8M for road reconstruction, safety upgrades, and traffic studies at Ellsworth AFB, directly advancing transportation infrastructure as required by construction activity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Roads & Highways

passed · South Dakota · House Feb 10, 2026

HB 1242: require emergency personnel to use flares or emergency reflective triangles to mark stopped emergency vehicles in some circumstances.

HB 1242 requires emergency personnel (police, fire, EMTs) to place three flares or emergency reflective triangles around stopped emergency vehicles when visibility is reduced by weather, terrain, or time of day; road conditions make stopping difficult; or the emergency requires extended vehicle stops. The law specifies placement: 100 feet front and rear on two-way roads, with adjusted spacing (100 feet and 200 feet rear) on one-way roads. This applies to all emergency vehicles operating under the statute's exemptions. The policy change aims to improve safety visibility for responders and other drivers during emergency stops.

Topics ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates safety measures (flares/triangles) for emergency personnel during vehicle stops, directly improving workplace safety for workers in the field.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationRequires emergency vehicles to use flares/triangles for visibility during stops, enhancing road safety under traffic laws and vehicle regulations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways Traffic Safety Tags Emergency Management Public Safety

Track

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 30, 2026

SB 76: authorize loans from the South Dakota housing infrastructure fund for airport infrastructure.

SB 76 transfers unobligated funds from South Dakota's housing infrastructure fund to the revolving economic development fund. It authorizes the Board of Economic Development to provide up to $15 million in 0% interest loans to airports with scheduled air service located in metro areas with 125,000-275,000 residents (or over 275,000) as of the 2024 Census. Loans must be repaid over 20 years with the first payment due one year after funding, and must be fully funded by June 2030. The bill directly affects airports in designated metro areas seeking infrastructure improvements.

Topics ✗ HousingOpposes HousingTransfers housing infrastructure funds to economic development fund, diverting resources from housing programs per bill's fund reallocation.90% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes $15M in 0% interest loans for airport infrastructure, directly funding transportation projects per bill's focus on airport development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Property Development Airports

signed · South Dakota · Senate Mar 11, 2026

SB 164: require that any holder of a commercial driver license in this state must be proficient in the English language, and to provide a penalty therefor.

Senate Bill 164 (SB 164) requires all current and new holders of commercial driver licenses (CDLs) in South Dakota to demonstrate English language proficiency by January 1, 2026. This requirement aligns with federal standards (49 C.F.R. § 391.11) for commercial motor vehicle drivers and applies directly to individuals seeking or renewing CDLs. The bill amends state law to add English proficiency as a mandatory condition for CDL issuance, referencing existing federal qualifications. Violations may result in penalties, though specific penalties are not detailed in the provided text.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationMandates English proficiency for CDL holders to align with federal safety standards (49 C.F.R. § 391.11), enhancing communication and road safety for commercial drivers.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Driver Licensing

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 30, 2026

HB 1245: authorize municipalities to establish a local funding mechanism for capital improvement projects.

HB 1245 allows South Dakota municipalities to create a local tax (up to 1% on taxable sales) to fund capital projects like infrastructure repairs, equipment purchases, or building renovations. To implement this, a municipality must form a Capital Improvement Board (with 1 elected official and 4 residents) to review proposals, secure board approval, and then hold a voter referendum requiring 60% support. All tax revenue must be placed in a special fund dedicated exclusively to approved capital projects, with the tax expiring after 60 months or once the targeted revenue amount is met. Municipalities cannot use this tax if they’ve imposed it within the previous 24 months.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAuthorizes local sales tax (up to 1%) for capital projects, directly funding infrastructure through dedicated fiscal mechanism with voter approval.95% confidence ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAuthorizes local tax for infrastructure repairs and capital projects, directly funding transportation infrastructure improvements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Sales Tax

signed · South Dakota · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1189: establish a greater tire weight limit for a mobile crane moving on any highway in this state.

HB 1189 increases the maximum allowable weight per inch of tire width for mobile cranes with booms carried over the vehicle from 600 to 650 pounds on South Dakota highways. This change directly affects mobile crane operators transporting equipment on public roads, allowing slightly heavier loads under specific conditions. The bill amends existing weight regulations (§ 32-22-21) to adjust this limit for cranes meeting the defined criteria (self-propelled carriers with telescoping/lattice booms). It does not alter other weight limits or create new requirements, focusing solely on this technical adjustment for crane mobility.

Topics ✓ TransportationSupports TransportationAmends highway weight limits to permit slightly heavier crane loads, facilitating equipment transport on public roads without safety or funding implications.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Roads & Highways